Compact coupler plug, in particular for a planar broadband lambda sensor

Abstract

In order to create a very small and compact embodiment of a coupler plug, in particular for a planar broadband Lambda sensor, a coupler plug is created for connecting a cable harness to a Lambda sensor. The coupler plug includes a housing, namely a basic element and a cover element. The coupler plug also includes electrical components that can be inserted into the housing and can be fixed in position. Additionally, the coupler plug includes an adjustment element for a sensor, in particular a planar broadband Lambda sensor, which can be arranged in the coupler plug or can be provided outside the coupler plug via a further contact element. Part of the coupler plug is designed as a contact carrier. Electrical contacts of the coupler plug and the adjustment element are pre-mounted on the contact carrier. It is possible to separate the contact carrier, along with the electrical contacts and the adjustment element, from the rest of the coupler plug.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A coupler plug for a planar Lambda sensor, comprising: 
       a housing including a basic element, a cover element, and a contact carrier, the contact carrier having electrical contacts pre-mounted thereon;  
       electrical components inserted into the housing and fixed in position; and  
       an adjustment element for the planar broadband Lambda sensor, the adjustment element being arranged one of: i) in the coupler plug, and ii) outside the coupler plug via a further contact element, the adjustment element being pre-mounted on the contact carrier, the contact carrier, electrical contacts and adjustment element being configured to separate from remaining portions of the coupler plug.  
     
     
       2. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is configured to be slipped on the adjustment element. 
     
     
       3. A coupler plug for a planar Lambda sensor, comprising: 
       a housing including a basic element, a cover element, and a contact carrier, the contact carrier having electrical contacts pre-mounted thereon;  
       electrical components inserted into the housing and fixed in position;  
       an adjustment element for the planar broadband Lambda sensor, the adjustment element being arranged one of in the coupler plug and outside the coupler plug via a further contact element, wherein the adjustment element is pre-mounted on the contact carrier, and the contact carrier, electrical contacts and adjustment element are separable from remaining portions of the coupler plug; and  
       a primary interlock element and a secondary interlock element that works in conjunction with the cover element, the secondary interlock element including at least one support element that extends towards the cover element so that the cover element only closes completely if the secondary interlock element is in its final position.  
     
     
       4. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is transparent. 
     
     
       5. The coupler plug according to  claim 3 , wherein the cover element has a low coefficient of absorption for monochromatic light. 
     
     
       6. The coupler plug according to  claim 3 , wherein the cover element has a low coefficient of absorption for laser light. 
     
     
       7. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       spring-like holding clips configured to hold the adjustment element against the housing.  
     
     
       8. The coupler plug according to  claim 7 , wherein the spring-like holding clips are electrical contact elements. 
     
     
       9. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical components are plug contacts. 
     
     
       10. The coupler plug according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical components are plug contacts and wherein the spring-like holding clips and the plug contacts are electrically connected to one another. 
     
     
       11. The coupler plug according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical components are plug contacts and wherein the spring-like holding clips and the plug contacts constitute a one-piece component. 
     
     
       12. The coupler plug according to  claim 8 , wherein the electrical contact elements and the adjustment element are coupled together via soldered joints. 
     
     
       13. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a locking arrangement provided between the basic element and the cover element.  
     
     
       14. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a mechanism for initial locking and final locking.  
     
     
       15. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a securing device provided at a periphery of the cover element.  
     
     
       16. The coupler plug according to  claim 15 , wherein the securing device is designed as a groove, with which a tongue engages. 
     
     
       17. The coupler plug according to  claim 15 , wherein the securing device constitutes a holder for electrical lines. 
     
     
       18. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       an arrangement configured to attach a spray protection grommet, the arrangement being provided on the cover element.  
     
     
       19. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact carrier is configured to lock into a remaining portion of the coupler plug. 
     
     
       20. The coupler plug according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the electrical contacts and the adjustment element are pressed into the contact carrier. 
     
     
       21. The coupler plug according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrical contacts are flat plugs.